Saturday Racing Tips – 22nd August: York & Chester

This Saturday's ITV racing coverage spans York – for the final day of the Ebor Festival – and Chester – for the Powells Jewellery Ladies Day.

After carefully reviewing the top contenders, recent results, and upcoming race conditions, we've chosen five runners who have the best chances to shine in Saturday's televised races.

See the latest horse racing odds on LiveScore Bet

Saturday Racing Tips Summary

Below are our expert picks for Saturday's Racing, including our top choice for each featured race.

LiveScore Bet - Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets For New Customers

4.7/5

1,489

CLAIM FREE BET OFFER HERE

*New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. **Free Bet up to £10. 1st cash Bet Builder on every England match (ex. Price Boosts). Min odds EVS. Free Bet: valid 7 days on sports. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GamCare.org.uk 18+

14:05 – Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap (Chester) – Asuka

• 7½f – Flat Turf, Handicap, Class 2

• 14 runners (MAX 14)

• Good To Soft

The first of the televised races over at Chester today is the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap – a 7½f Flat Class 2 Handicap with 14 runners. 

We’re not going off-piste with our first prediction, but rather very mainstream with Asuka (10/3), the 4-year-old favourite from George Boughey’s stables. The bay colt has a phenomenal record with three wins and a second-place finish in the last four races. 

Despite being the favourite, I think he’s underpriced at 10/3 and well worth a punt. Competition could, however, very well come from The Fingal Raven (8/1) and Rhoscolyn (10/1).

Table: Recent Form of Asuka

14:25 – Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (York) – Limestone

• 1m 5f 188y – Flat Turf, Handicap, Class 2

• 17 runners (MAX 22)

• Good To Soft

From trainer Joseph Patrick O’Brien comes Limestone (5/1), a 3-year-old bay colt with a stunning recent race record.

Limestone has won four of his last five races, despite a sixth-place finish last time out at Longchamp where he was in touch with the leaders, before weakening over 1f out. His main competition at York comes in the form of William Haggas’ Infraad (3/1). He’s been the favourite in his last four races, achieving two victories and two third-place finishes. 

My money is on Limestone – I think he’s underpriced and a fantastic candidate for an Each Way (EW) bet. 

Table: Recent Form of Limestone

14:40 – Virgin Bet Chester Stakes (Chester) – Fantasy World

• 1m 6f 87y – Flat Turf, Listed, Class 1

• 8 runners (MAX 14)

• Good To Soft

Next up, we’re back to Chester for the Virgin Bet Chester Stakes. We’re avoiding the top two favourites in the one and backing Fantasy World (13/2) for the win. 

Originally from Andrew Balding’s stables, Fantasy World spent a 3-stint race over in Nicky Henderson’s stables before returning to Balding. The Virgin Bet Chester Stakes will be his first run out with the 4-year-old since the official trainer change notification. 

Henderson didn’t seem to get the most out of Fantasy World – the horse was performing and consistently winning before the trainer change. It’ll be great to see how he’s moving this time out with 8 runners in the Virgin Bet Chester Stakes.

Table: Recent Form of Fantasy World

15:00 – Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (York) – Flora Of Bermuda

• 7f – Flat Turf, Group 1, Class 1

• 48 runners (MAX 22)

• Good

Next, we come to the exciting first of two must-see races on Saturday – the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes. Keep an eye on Andrew Balding’s Flora Of Bermuda (16/1) in the 7f Group 1, Class 1 flat race, which appears to be excellent value at the moment.

This 5-year-old Roan Mare is very comfortable here, having recently won in a field of 13 (with a starting price of 3/1) in July over 6f. Plus, she claimed victory again just four weeks ago at 7f in Goodwood. All of this suggests she could be an incredibly underpriced contender. 

Table: Recent Form of Flora Of Bermuda

5:35 – Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (York) – Kizlyar 

• 1m 5f 188y – Flat Turf, Handicap, Class 2

• 64 runners (MAX 22)

• Good

Here's the final feature race for Saturday, wrapping up our predictions for Saturday’s racing coverage — the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap. This exciting Flat race over 1m6f in the Class 2 handicap category has an incredible 64 runners entered, though, as usual, only 22 will actually take part.

Among many contenders, we’ve highlighted Joseph Patrick O'Brien’s Kizlyar (12/1) as a horse to watch. This 4-year-old bay gelding has demonstrated strong performance, winning recently at Ascot with 25/1 odds, and previously at Killarney at 11/1. It’s not surprising to see him secure another win at higher odds—this time at 12/1.

Top trainers like Willie Mullins, John & Thady Gosden, Andrew Balding, William Haggas, and Charlie Appleby have entries in this race. While it’s a big challenge for Kizlyar to come out on top, he’s a horse known for surpassing expectations and making exciting comebacks. 

Table: Recent Form of Kizlyar

LiveScore Bet - Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets For New Customers

4.7/5

1,489

CLAIM FREE BET OFFER HERE

*New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. **Free Bet up to £10. 1st cash Bet Builder on every England match (ex. Price Boosts). Min odds EVS. Free Bet: valid 7 days on sports. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GamCare.org.uk 18+